636 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



operations of the roadscraper, hedgecutter, macadamiser and 

 others. The influence of motor-cars which bespatter the high- 

 ways with dust and oil is another disquieting feature. In this 

 case the Plant Protection Section is endeavouring to elicit the 

 sympathy and support of the rural and urban district councils 

 to abolish the formal treatment of roads and to regulate the 

 motor traffic. 



As to sport, it is necessary to arouse the interest of the great 

 landowners in the value of plant-life so that they may be led to 

 favour the subordination of golf-links made upon their property 

 to the natural features of the district and the preservation of 

 wild species of plants. The Selborne Society here again aims 

 at influencing both landowner and sportsman. In the case of 

 racecourses near towns, it is necessary to approach town 

 councils as to any encroachment of these upon natural features. 

 In the case of public parks, the parks committees need advice 

 as to the conversion of natural features into artificial recreation 

 grounds. In this, as in other matters, the active support of the 

 public is required. 



To put a stop to the practice of hawking wild plants is a 

 work that can only be accomplished by the aid of the county 

 councils. Some of these, as in Essex, Devon, Surrey, have 

 already framed byelaws for the prevention of hawking on the 

 highways and property over which they have control. The 

 Selborne Society aims at obtaining the promise of every 

 county council to follow suit. Having accomplished this, it 

 will be an easy step to legislate, the next stage towards State 

 protection. By this means private property not under the 

 jurisdiction of the county councils would be safeguarded in 

 the same manner as the highways. 



Already a Bill has been drawn up by Prof. Boulger, which 

 has the approval of Lord Avebury ; one of the next steps is to 

 introduce it into Parliament, on the first favourable occasion. 



The vandalism of the hawker, of which more is heard than 

 of the other equally deleterious factors of extinction, can be 

 considerably prevented or controlled by the aid of the scientific 

 societies in the country. It is proposed to ask each of these 

 bodies to appoint one of their members to act as a corresponding 

 secretary and local representative, keeping the Section in touch 

 with local requirements and possibilities of support. 



One of the methods of opening the eyes of the public to the 



